CaliCool

I'm not new to the forum, but I don't post much either. Anyway, I've always been a Grizz fan because before they have been the underdogs and with the first appearance in the playoffs some years ago, seeing the awesome crowd support it got me really into the organization. Of course, I don't claim I know the Memphis team THAT much so that's why I'm going to ask you Memphis fans some serious questions. (Seeing how unorthodox this team forum is )

Anyway..

1) Now that Pau is out til November, how do you exactly see the Memphis running the offense? Will Mike Miller who is good at handles by the way be the focal point?
2) Now that I mentioned Mike Miller, do you think that given more role on the offensive end, he'll get the Richard Jefferson syndrome?
3) Realistically, do you think Memphis will just roll-over? Come on! I know you guys better than that.
4) Give me the key players that will pick up the slack since Pau is gone. I heard people are pretty high on Damon but that's on another world.

Thanks!

BTW: Can you guys prospect how Mike Miller will average? He is my favorite Grizz, fhank you!

theolo

lol i also have a question... what do you guys expect out of eddie jones number wise this year?

CaliCool

Argh! Come on Memphissssers.

Cinco de Mayo

DISCLAIMER: It's late, and I'm not thinking as critically as usual.

The two playoff games in 2004 at The Pyramid are not something I'm ever going to forget. Hubie got his Coach of the Year Award in Game 3, and I remember the pointy roof almost blowing off the place. We lost both the games, obviously, but for a city with no prior professional franchise, they were two very special experiences. I didn't realize we picked up some fans, but that's nice to know. The team doesn't get much mainstream exposure.

I expect the offense to be hit-and-miss until Gasol gets back, which will probably be in January. I think it's going to be more miss than hit. Hopefully, we'll at least try to be exciting, if not competitive. The athleticism on the frontline makes for some excitement, but there's really not a whole lot of skill on the roster, especially our more-familiar frontcourt players. Jake Tsakalidis is going to drop off the map without Pau and an alleged new, uptempo offensive philosophy. Stromile Swift is Stromile Swift, and Hakim Warrick - while making nice strides in the offseason - still isn't on the "starting NBA forward" level, IMO. And we still don't really know what position he plays.

Mike Miller can handle the ball nicely for his size, but with Stoudamire, Atkins and Lowry, I doubt he sees a lot of time calling plays. I've always been of the mindset that we should run him off screens constantly. If he gets an open look, it's going in more often than not. I don't know how Gay and Miller will play on offense, since Miller has been out pretty much the entire preseason, but I imagine Gay will emerge as the focal point. Miller's never been one to over-assert himself on offense. He takes the phrase "let the game come to you" a bit too literally, while Gay is getting up shot after shot in his preseason games. It's established already that Gay is the future of the team, while Miller has always felt more comfortable in a secondary role, so it makes sense to me that Gay will be carrying the load on offense...though Miller will be playing a larger role than he usually would with Gasol healthy.

I'm not sure what RJ Syndrome is. Putting up great stats for lack of another offensive option and turning the ball over a lot? That's what I remember from Jefferson when he was the first option briefly while the other main Nets were hurt.

I think Miller will be given a larger offensive role. I just hope he embraces it and plays as aggressively as possible.

They didn't roll over in 2005 after Gasol went down in the second half of the season. Cardinal and Wright came in and picked up the slack. The team has vets who don't ever quit, but the overall talent level looks bleak when stacked against most the other West teams.

Rudy Gay
Mike Miller
Damon Stoudamire

Then the young guys (besides Gay):
Kyle Lowry
Alexander Johnson
Lawrence Roberts
Hakim Warrick

On the season, I'll say 15-16 ppg. Bump that up a couple ppg while Pau's out. He's a lights-out shooter, has a lot of heart and is a good all-around player (one of the top-rebounding guards in the league), but he'll need to be more aggressive than he's ever been for me to project more than that.

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CaliCool

That answer is as complete as I ever hoped for. Thanks Rawse. And you are right about the RJ syndrome, thats what I was talking about my friend.

You just don't know how much fans the Grizz are garnering. Here in the Philippines, I know a lot of Grizz fans because they kind of depict our country similarly. The never-say-die attitude in many situations!

Go Mike Miller!

Cinco de Mayo

No problem. Stick around this season - we'll need all the support we can get.

Also, what I said is what I believe what makes the most sense, not necessarily what will happen. Mike Fratello is a micromanaging goof.

Good game from Mike against Chicago tonight. He'll be our best offensive weapon until Rudy comes into his own, so I'm praying Fratello gets wise and sticks him in the starting lineup.

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